Today I have a short observation to share with you. We all know that “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” but no one is going to be blessed if there is no one out there ready to receive! It should go without saying that I am not talking about people who go around with their hands held out, but I learned a long time ago that anything that should go without saying probably needs to be said anyway, so consider it said. Now to today’s point…
I know a lot of older folks who have given and given and given their entire lives. They have served their sick, hurting, sorrowing brethren in every capacity you can imagine. That person may very well be you.
And now I hear people ask you, “Is there anything I can do for you?” I know what you are going to say because I have said it too: “No. We’re fine.” A lot of times we aren’t fine, we’re just too proud to accept help, or we have the mistaken notion that patience and humility involve sitting quietly in the background without complaint, even when we are in desperate need. If we do ask for something it’s only, “If it isn’t any trouble.”
Brothers and sisters! God expects us to sacrifice for one another. He expects us to generously give to those in need and serve those who are afflicted. Indeed, He expects me to go to a lot of trouble for you—it doesn’t count as serving and sacrifice if it isn’t trouble. I can’t do that if you won’t let me. You can’t do that if I won’t let you.
When people ask what they can do for you, tell them! It may go against your grain to accept help, but you need to get off your high horse and let God bless those givers by your willingness to receive. In fact, it may be more than your physical needs they are meeting. It may be exactly what you need spiritually—a recognition that you actually need someone else’s help.
Your turn to help will come again. It has already come, again and again for years, which may be the reason you find it so hard to turn the tables and accept it now that you need the help. Accept it, not just gratefully, but graciously too. This is, in fact, another way you can give to others—both the pleasure of helping someone and the blessing God promises to the givers. You are denying them a blessing with your stubborn refusal to admit you need help.
May I just paraphrase 1 Cor 12? “If all the world were givers, where would the receivers be? If all the world were receivers, where would the givers be?” It happens to us all sooner or later. When your turn comes, be generous enough to allow others the same blessings you have been receiving as a giver for years.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith, Gal 6:9,10.
Dene Ward
I know a lot of older folks who have given and given and given their entire lives. They have served their sick, hurting, sorrowing brethren in every capacity you can imagine. That person may very well be you.
And now I hear people ask you, “Is there anything I can do for you?” I know what you are going to say because I have said it too: “No. We’re fine.” A lot of times we aren’t fine, we’re just too proud to accept help, or we have the mistaken notion that patience and humility involve sitting quietly in the background without complaint, even when we are in desperate need. If we do ask for something it’s only, “If it isn’t any trouble.”
Brothers and sisters! God expects us to sacrifice for one another. He expects us to generously give to those in need and serve those who are afflicted. Indeed, He expects me to go to a lot of trouble for you—it doesn’t count as serving and sacrifice if it isn’t trouble. I can’t do that if you won’t let me. You can’t do that if I won’t let you.
When people ask what they can do for you, tell them! It may go against your grain to accept help, but you need to get off your high horse and let God bless those givers by your willingness to receive. In fact, it may be more than your physical needs they are meeting. It may be exactly what you need spiritually—a recognition that you actually need someone else’s help.
Your turn to help will come again. It has already come, again and again for years, which may be the reason you find it so hard to turn the tables and accept it now that you need the help. Accept it, not just gratefully, but graciously too. This is, in fact, another way you can give to others—both the pleasure of helping someone and the blessing God promises to the givers. You are denying them a blessing with your stubborn refusal to admit you need help.
May I just paraphrase 1 Cor 12? “If all the world were givers, where would the receivers be? If all the world were receivers, where would the givers be?” It happens to us all sooner or later. When your turn comes, be generous enough to allow others the same blessings you have been receiving as a giver for years.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith, Gal 6:9,10.
Dene Ward
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